REVIEW ROUND-UP: “Of Mice and Men”

THE EDGE“A tremendously talented group of performers … Matt Boliek does an outstanding job of capturing the character Candy … Lee Mathews imbues the character of Curley’s wife, whom many find as loathsome, with enough pathos to make her worthy of pity. … Gavigan is absolutely riveting. … A rare performance in which every actor played his or her role flawlessly and some left you begging for more.”-Read the full review

DC EXAMINER“Director Kerry Waters Lucas creates an atmosphere that accurately reflects Northern California in 1937, employing familiar, Depression-era music to great effect … Mark A. Rhea nicely captures George’s simultaneous frustration with and love for Lennie …Thorarinsson is commanding as the empathic Slim. Boliek is touching as Candy, who wants to share George’s and Lennie’s fantasy farm. … The outer shell of Steinbeck’s play is a quintessential tale of futility and bitterness. Keegan neatly illuminates another story embedded in that tale, one that suggests that dreams do temporarily transform the harsh landscape and, if only for a while, dispel the oppression of isolation.”-Read the full review

WASHINGTON POST“Gavigan manages to be a consistently persuasive, vivid and poignant presence. … Mark A. Rhea sink[s] himself wholeheartedly into the major role of George, Lennie’s protector and travel companion. … Colin Smith brings an enjoyable air of bullying skepticism to his cameo as a ranch boss. Eric Lucas created the aptly stark set, dominated by movable wooden surfaces that resemble barn partitions. In a nice contrasting touch, a gorgeous pink sunset frequently flushes the backdrop, as if symbolizing George and Lennie’s rosy but ill-fated pipe dreams.”-Read the full review

METRO WEEKLY“Well-crafted scenes and solid performances … in the play’s final moments, we get a moment of emotional clarity and beautiful acting courtesy of Rhea and Gavigan. It’s a stunning scene … Gavigan is a fine actor with a steady hand and a clear sense of character development …An excellent selection for George, Rhea stands in contrast to Gavigan’s lumbering giant…”-Read the full review

COMCAST CHANNEL 69 / ARLINGTON WEEKLY NEWS“Over the years I’ve seen several versions of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. The Keegan Theatre’s production is right up there with the best. … directed smoothly by Kerry Waters Lucas.”-Read Rich Massabny’s full review

’OF MICE AND MEN’ KICKS OFF KEEGAN THEATRE’S 2009-2010 SEASONOn Tap MagazineNovember 2009“Keegan Theatre, one of Washington, DC’s best kept secrets, is launching its 2009-2010 season with the John Steinbeck classic Of Mice and Men. With a fabulous cast and meticulous set design, Keegan Theatre has been impressing audiences for years and its newest production is no exception. …”-READ IT

ALL ARTS REVIEW 4 U“Keegan Theatre can always be depended on for giving us fiery productions and the current “OF MICE AND MEN” is no exception. Strongly directed by Kerry Waters Lucas … the production is highly charged emotionally and is highly recommended …”-READ IT

THE MUNSTER EXPRESS (Ireland)
“Kerry Waters Lucas directs with a sharp focus on the inherent tragedy of the work and moves the work along with pace and control … Danny Gavigan towers over this play, not just physically, but in the horrifying reality of his portrayal as Lennie … Paul Andrew Morton was excellent as the negro worker Crooks … Mark A. Rhea was a solid, caring, George…”-Read the full review

TIP TATLER (North Tipperary, Ireland
“Thurles just can’t seem to get enough of the Keegan Theatre, who have included the town in their Irish tours for the last three years. … The Keegan Theatre shows are always one of the high points of the theatrical year and 2009 promises to be no exception ….”-Read the full article